Dentures – Owings Mills, MD

Effects of Missing Teeth

There are many reasons why adults could be missing permanent teeth, including tooth decay, gum disease, and injury. While Dr. Milner and Dr. Miller will always do everything they can to save your tooth, sometimes the damage can be too severe and extracting it is the best solution.

Unfortunately, leaving empty spaces in your mouth isn’t ideal, even if it’s in the very back of your arch. Missing teeth can cause a variety of negative consequences, including facial sagging due to lack of jaw support, difficulty speaking due to improper tongue placement, trouble eating, and even diminished self-esteem.

What Qualifies You for Dentures?

If you’ve experienced significant tooth loss, have sensitive teeth, or a lot of decay, as long as you have sufficient healthy gum tissue and jawbone strength, you are likely a good candidate for dentures. You must also be committed to caring for your mouth and your dentures, as this is still important even if you wear prosthetics and have no remaining natural teeth.

The number of teeth you’re missing will determine which type of dentures Dr. Milner and Dr. Miller will recommend for you, as there are different options to choose from, such as full, partial, implant, and immediate dentures. They are much more affordable than other methods of tooth replacement, which often makes them ideal for patients on a tight budget.

Alternative Tooth-Replacement Options

If you aren’t a good candidate for dentures, there are still other options you may want to consider. These include dental bridges and dental implants.

• Dental Bridges: These prosthetics are an excellent solution for patients who are only missing one or just a few teeth. However, they do require healthy teeth surrounding the missing tooth or teeth to support the bridge.
• Dental Implants: Dental implants are attached via a titanium post inserted in the jawbone, so you must have a solid bone structure to receive this treatment. They are more costly than traditional dentures, however because they are permanently attached to your jaw, they are considered permanent and should not require replacement.

Learn More About Dental Bridges

Learn More About Dental Implants

What Are Dentures Made Of?

Dentures are comprised of two parts: the base and the replacement teeth. Here is a closer look at each one:

• Base: The base is the foundational structure of the replacement teeth. It can be made from various materials, but acrylic tends to be the most popular since it can be tailored to look very similar to natural gum tissue.
• Teeth: In most cases, the replacement teeth attached to the base of the denture are made from resin or porcelain. Both of these materials look similar to real tooth enamel. They even reflect light in a similar way.

The Denture Creation Process

All dentures are customized, so each treatment looks a little bit different. Here are the steps one can typically expect:

1. Measurements are taken of the jaw, and impressions are taken of your upper and lower gums. These are used to create a plaster model of your mouth.
2. The model is sent to the dental lab where your dentures are made. First, your replacement teeth are set in place using an “articulator.” Adjustments are then made by the lab technician.
3. The wax dentures are sent to your dentist for a fitting. If everything looks and feels good, they are returned to the dental lab to complete the process.
4. Once your dentures are back at the lab, the wax needs to be replaced with acrylic. To do this, the lab technician places the dentures into a flask. Plaster is then poured into it to maintain the shape of the dentures. The whole flask is placed in hot water to melt away the wax.
5. The plaster is cut from the dentures with dental tools. Then, the dentures placed into an ultrasonic bath to wash away the remaining plaster.
6. Excess acrylic is cut from the dentures. Then, they are polished.
7. The dentures are sent back to the dental office.
8. If you and your dentist are happy with the final product, you can leave showing off your complete smile.

Adjusting to Your New Dentures

When you get your prosthetic, you might experience some minor soreness and discomfort, but this is perfectly normal as your mouth adjusts to your new prosthesis. Your dentures will start to feel more natural over time. When you first get your dentures, it’s ideal to stick to a softer diet and exercise your facial muscles. With time, you can introduce harder foods. If discomfort persists or you have any concerns, don’t hesitate to give us a call.

Psychological Benefits

You’re not alone if you’re struggling to accept the changes to your appearance caused by gaps in your grin. Many people with significant tooth loss feel self-conscious or worry about being judged for the way they look.

Thankfully, our team in Owings Mills can provide a customized set of replacement teeth made from materials like gum-colored acrylic or tooth-colored ceramic, which can be carved and crafted to look as lifelike as possible to enhance your self-esteem.

Clearer Enunciation

You press your tongue against your enamel in specific ways to form the different sounds to communicate with others. Unfortunately, when teeth go missing, you might develop a lisp, slur, or other issues that make it harder to speak clearly.  

It can sometimes take about a month for patients to adjust to their new restorations, but then many find they can overcome any altered speech patterns associated with tooth loss. You may be able to speed up this transition by practicing reading aloud at home so you can target particularly challenging sounds or patterns and rehearse them until you feel more confident in your pronunciation.

Improves Nutrition

Many people missing adult teeth develop gastrointestinal concerns or malnutrition from swallowing overly large pieces of food that cannot be easily digested, or by choosing softer options that are easier to consume but less nutritious.

Dentures return some of your original chewing power, so you can enjoy a wider variety of wholesome foods that support your oral and overall well-being.

Preserves Oral Health

Did you know that any remaining natural teeth are prone to shifting out of alignment to fill in the empty spaces left behind by the ones that fell out? This can wear down your enamel prematurely, contributing to damage, decay, or the development of TMJ (temporomandibular joint) disorders or discomfort.

Wearing your custom-fitted restoration helps keep everything in its rightful place to prevent misalignments and preserve your dental condition.

Expands Opportunities

Studies have shown that dental problems, like missing teeth, are negatively associated with the likelihood of employment.

Rebuilding your smile with beautiful, resilient dentures can improve your confidence. This, in turn, can lead to better professional and educational achievements, more meaningful relationships, and a more engaging social life.

Factors That Affect the Cost of Dentures

As with any kind of dental work, the cost of dentures can vary based on a number of factors. When pricing these restorations, we must consider the following:

• The exact type of dentures needed: Larger appliances require more material and, therefore, cost more.
• The number of teeth you are missing: Dentures that replace more teeth will be more costly.
• The materials used to create your denture: Dentures can be crafted from a variety of materials such as acrylic, nylon, porcelain, and resin.
• Any preliminary procedures needed: These may include treatments like tooth extractions or gum disease therapy

It’s always important to remember that the cheapest option is rarely the ideal option when considering how you wish to replace your missing teeth. When receiving dentures from Dolfield Dental of Owings Mills, you can rest assured your appliance will be beautifully lifelike and remarkably functional.

Are Implant Dentures More Expensive?

Implant dentures require the surgical placement of titanium posts in the jawbone along the gumline, and this makes them more expensive than traditional restorations. However, the benefits implant dentures provide make them well worth the investment since they will be securely anchored in place, which allows them to behave exactly like real teeth. To make matters even better, implant dentures can last for several decades or even a lifetime if they receive proper care, which may save a patient vast sums of money by making replacement appliances unnecessary. You may find that your implant dentures pay for themselves after a few years.

Does Dental Insurance Cover Dentures?

To make paying for your treatment easier, our practice is in-network with several major dental insurance carriers, including Aetna, BlueCross BlueShield, and Delta Dental. Most dental insurance plans cover dentures at 50% since they are a major restorative procedure, but we’ll need to confirm what your policy will pay for before we can give you a proper cost estimate.

Other Options for Making Dentures Affordable

We understand that many patients may need a little help making their dentures affordable, so we offer several options that can help them manage the cost of their restorations. These include:

• We accept monthly payment plans from reputable third-party companies like CareCredit.
• We offer an in-office membership plan. For a low annual fee, you can receive FREE preventive care as well as a 15% discount on most other treatments, including dentures. 

If you’d like to learn more about how dentures are priced at our office, please feel free to schedule a consultation.

Removable Dentures

Remove After Eating

When you finish eating, removing and rinsing your dentures can help get rid of food debris and plaque buildup. Swishing around water can also wash away anything on your gums. Just be sure you use cool or lukewarm water. If it’s too hot, then you risk warping or damaging your restoration, meaning your full smile with it won’t feel the same afterward.

Clean Your Restoration

You should clean your dentures before bed every night. Take them out and brush each side with a soft-bristled toothbrush and unscented hand soap, mild dish soap, or a denture-specific cleanser. Avoid using regular toothpaste, as it has ingredients that can be abrasive and cause scratches. Then place your prosthetic in a glass of water or denture-cleaning solution. That way, they don’t dry out and crack. When it’s time to put them back in, be sure to give them a good rinse.

Keep Your Dentures Safe

Accidents happen. For instance, when you take your dentures out to clean, hold them over a folded towel or sink full of water. This gives them a softer landing if they slip out of your hands and lessens the risk of damage. Make sure you keep them out of reach of small children and pets as well.

Remove Dentures When You Sleep

Traditional dentures aren’t meant to be worn all the time. You will need to take them out while you sleep, so after you clean them, place them in water or a denture-cleansing solution. This gives your gums room to breathe and encourages good oral hygiene. That way, you lower your risk of oral infections and respiratory issues. Your jawbone will also get a break from the constant pressure of wearing your restoration.

Notice Changes

Your gums and underlying bone will change over time, meaning your dentures won’t always fit the same. Damage, new sores, gum irritation, and signs of infection are other things you should keep an eye for. By letting our team know when this happens, we can assess the problem and restore your stable, secure smile. When we can handle these things early, we can give you the prompt care you deserve to get back a comfortable grin.

Implant Dentures

If you have implant dentures, they also require routine care like traditional options. You should brush them twice a day with a non-abrasive toothpaste. Avoid products that say they have added baking soda or stain-removing agents, as they can cause scratches.

When it’s time to floss, floss threaders can make it easier to get underneath the restoration. A water flosser can be an effective tool to invest in if you’re having trouble. Rinsing your mouth with antibacterial mouthwash can add another layer of protection to prevent bacterial buildup.